SNAPSHOTS: Boucher says getting a goalie was a 'must' for the Senators

The expectation is newly acquired goaltender Anders Nilsson will make his debut in the Ottawa Senators’ net this weekend.

Given the fact Marcus Hogberg is coming off a 41-save effort in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday at home, it would make sense for him to suit up against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at 1 p.m. and then have Nilsson face the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

If you think the Senators acquired Nilsson from the Canucks before facing them Wednesday because general manager Pierre Dorion, coach Guy Boucher and goalie coach Pierre Groulx are concerned about the state of the club’s netminding, you’d be correct.

No, they aren’t disappointed with the 24-year-old Hogberg and they didn’t mind 35-year-old Mike McKenna, who was sent to the Canucks as part of the deal, but the Senators don’t know when they’re going to get either Craig Anderson (concussion) or Mike Condon (hip) back.

That much was made clear by Boucher following the loss when he was asked about the decision by the organization to get Nilsson.

“It’s been tough because we haven’t had (Condon),” Boucher said. “When you’re missing your NHL backup, it has an impact on your team, and over a long period of time we didn’t know what was going to happen.

Ottawa Senators coach Guy Boucher, seen during practice at the Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, says it was a must to have a backup with NHL experience.Tony Caldwell /
Postmedia

“Knowing now that it was going to be longer, (the trade) was a must I think and Pierre acted on it. Now, we’ve got an NHL backup that’s coming to help us.”

The issue for the Senators is Anderson hasn’t made much progress since he suffered the head injury on Dec. 21 versus the New Jersey Devils. At the time, the Senators felt he’d be back right after the Christmas break, but that never materialized.

He didn’t take part in the skills competition Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre and he’s going to have to skate with the team before there’s any chance of a return. The hope was, earlier in the week, he’d play on the weekend, but that’s not going to happen.

That’s why the Senators wanted a goalie with an NHL resumé.

Is Nilsson the future in the club’s net? Probably not, but at 28 years old with this year left on his deal, it gives the Senators a chance to evaluate him. If he can get the job done, they can look at next year. If not, they can move on.

The Senators, who have been looking for depth in goal since Condon went down with an injury in Belleville after clearing waivers on Oct. 31, want to see what they’ve got in Nilsson.

No, his numbers haven’t been great with the Canucks, but he has 117 games of NHL experience with Vancouver and the Islanders. He has a 39-54-13 lifetime record with a .905 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average.

“Not knowing when Anderson is back, it’s important to have that (experience) throughout the year,” Boucher added. “Right now, we desperately need that. Hogberg has done well, but we can’t put all that on his shoulders right now.

“It’s more than welcome right now.”

Talks are expected to heat up between the agent for Matt Duchene and the Ottawa Senators in the next three weeks.Tony Caldwell /
Postmedia

TALKS ABOUT TO HEAT UP

Not only will the Senators get down to business with unrestricted free agent winger Mark Stone on a contract extension in the next two weeks, Dorion will also be focused on centre Matt Duchene.

According to a report by TSN’s Darren Dreger during an NBC Sports segment on Wednesday night, talks between Duchene’s agent, Pat Brisson, and Dorion are going to intensify in the next three weeks.

As Dreger noted, it makes sense with the NHL trade deadline set for Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. EST. If the Senators aren’t going to be able to sign Stone, Duchene and forward Ryan Dzingel, then they’re going to have to weigh the marketplace for possible deals.

The sooner the Senators know what Stone, Duchene and Dzingel want to do, the better it is for the organization. Dzingel will likely have to wait to see what happens with Stone and Duchene before getting dealt with. That’s just the reality of the situation.

Stone and Duchene have both stated they’d like to sign with the Senators, however the next month or so will determine whether they are dealt at the deadline.

THE LAST WORDS

Vancouver goalie Jacob Markstrom was caught off guard by the Canucks’ decision to deal Nilsson to the Senators. “(He) actually called me right before I was getting ready to have my pregame nap,” Nilsson told NHL.com after the game. “He called me and told me he was in shock. He is a really good friend, so it’s tough. I’ve been there, he’s been there before. I’ve never been there for two goalies just swapping teams at the morning skate. … The Swedes, they’re pretty close here. We celebrated Christmas together a couple weeks ago. For sure, it’s all family, all great people. He’ll be missed, for sure.” … Vancouver placed McKenna on waivers at noon Thursday, and if he clears he’ll be sent to the club’s AHL affiliate in Utica on Friday. He dressed as the backup at the Bell Centre on Thursday. The Senators felt they didn’t need McKenna because the goaltending in Belleville will be solid with Filip Gustavsson and Hogberg when he goes back.

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